Electric train-line coupling.



T. R. BROWN.

ELECTRIC TRAIN. LINE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC, 8.19I6.

Patented Jan. 7', 1919.

.W/ I i W m I I I I I I I II N M H W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS E. BROWN OF SPARKILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, OF WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF SYLV AN IA.

PENN

ELECTRIC TRAIN -LIN E COUPLING.

Application filed December 8, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS R. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Spar-kill, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric Train-Line Couplings, of which improvement the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic electric train wire couplings of the type in which the couplers supported at each end of each car are counterparts of each other, and the circuit contacts or terminals in each coupler are adapted to make a butt contact with the corresponding line terminals in-the adjoining counterpart coupler when the same are brought together in the act of coupling. Heretofore in electric couplings of this type, some diiiiculty has been experienced in maintaining the terminal contacts clean and bright, as dirt and dust would often collect upon the contact surfaces, and they would also become corroded, thereby increasing the resistance, and diminishing the How of the electric current between the corresponding contact points. of the coupling. One of the objects of my invention is, therefore, to provide improved means for causing a relative movement of the respective contact points of the counterpart couplers, one upon the other, as the same are brought together, whereby the engaging surfaces are kept bright and clean and a high degree of conductivity is maintained through the couplingjoint at all times.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved switch mechanism located between the terminal contacts of the coupling and the corresponding line circuits on each car, whereby said respective circuits on one car may be directly connected in parallel, while the circuits on the adjoining car and coupler may be cross connected relative to a central vertical plane whereby the terminal contacts of the respective corresponding circuits on the adjacent cars will be properly connected together.

These and other objects will now more fully appear from the following description of a preferred construction embodying my improvement, the features of novelty being set. forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7, 1919.

Serial No. 135.916.

is a diagrammatic horizontal section of one form of my invention showing two counterpart couplers coupled together; Fig. 2, a horizontal section showing one of the contact terminals on a larger scale; Fig. 3, a

coupling, and the said terminals of the coupling may be supported in any suitable or convenient manner at the end of the ca r. As shown in the drawing, the terminal contacts are mounted in the central portion of a coupler of the rigid lock type, in which each counterpart. coupler is provided with a pro jecting head portion, 5, having laterally inclined surfaces, said parts being adapted to engage each other by a lateral movement, and each coupler having a pivoted lock or cam lever, 6, for clamping against the head of the counterpart coupler and rigidly look ing the two couplers together in coupled position. The cam levers may be operated by springs, 4, and pistons, 7, or otherwise, as desired.

The terminal contact points of the electric circuits are mounted in a molded block of insulation, 8, in the middle of the head, 5, of the coupler, and each terminal, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, comprises two parts, the stationary plug, 9, fixed within the opening in the insulation block, 8. and having a socket for receiving the stem, 11, of the movable contact portion, 10, which extends out through the face of the insulation block, 8, and is adapted to butt against the corresponding contact of the counterpart coupler. The contact portion, 10, has a shoulder, 12, and a spring. 13, is located between said shoulder and the stationary plug, 9. Means are also provided for producing a partial rotary movement of the contact, 10, when the same is depressed by the coming together of the contact points of the counterpart couplers, and such means may comprise a pin, 14, fixed on the stem. 11, of the movable contact. 10. and extending through an inclined or helical slot. 15, in the stationary plug, 9. Then as the contact, 10,

is forced inward, the spring, 13, is compressed, and the pin, 14, traveling in .the slot, 15, produces at the same time a partial rotation of the contact, 10. Each one of the plugs, 9, is electrically connected with one of the train circuit wires by the usual clampingnuts, as indicated.

As .the slots are so arranged that the cooperating contacts, 10, of the counterpart couplers rotate in opposite directions, a considerable relative turning movement will occur between the contacts at the time that these parts are forced together each time the couplers are brought together, with the result that the faces ofthe terminal contacts will be maintained clean and bright and not interrupt nor reduce the flow of the electric current in the train line circuits through the coupler.

In Fig. 3, there is shown one form of arrangement of the several terminal contacts in the insulation block, but any other suitable or preferred arrangement or location of said contacts may be employed. Where, however, a plurality of such contacts are arranged upon both sides of a central vertical plane, it is apparent that some means must be employed for providing for the proper electrical connection between the corresponding train line circuits of the respective counterpart couplers, and I have heretofore proposed the use of switches between the terminal contacts and the car circuit wires whereby one set of connections may be cross connected and the other set connected in parallel, as set forth in my pending application Ser. No. 840,203, filed May 22, 1914.

According to my resent improvement, switches are alSo provided between the terminal contacts and the car line circuits for this purpose, which switches are actuated by fluid pressure-and are of a special construction which will now be described. This switch comprises a reciprocating member preferably in the form of a piston, 20, operating in a cylinder, 21, by means of fluid under pressure admitted to either end of the cylinder, and carrying upon its outer surface suitable contact bars, four of which are shown, as A1, A2, A3 and A4, and cooperating with stationary contacts mounted upon theinner surface of the cylinder, two of these being shown, as B1, connected to a coupler contact terminal, and B2, connected to a wire of the car circuit. Springs, 22, having a keeper for limiting the expansion, are employed at both ends of the cylinder for normally forcing the piston to its middle or neutral position when there is no fluid pressure acting on the piston. Locking bolts, 23, having springs, 24, and pistons, 25, are provided for locking the piston in either one of its operative positions.

For controlling the operation of the switch pistons and the lock releasing pistons, a valve, 30, is' mounted in a convenient location at each end of each car, and connected by suitable pipes, 37, 38, 39 and 41, with the switch cylinder and the coupler, and a pipe, 36, connected to a reservoir or source of supply. This controlling valve, 31, is shown in the form of a plug cock, and has three positions, a normal intermediate neutral position, indicated in full lines, an application position for actuating the switches to operative positions, and a release position for returning the switches to neutral position.

After the counterpart couplers are brought together and coupled, it is desired to make the proper electrical connections of the circuits, and for this purpose one of the controlling cocks, 31, is accordingly turned to its application or electricalconnection position in which the port or cavity, 34, establishes communication from the source of air pressure supply, 36, to the pipe, 38, leading to the upper end of the switch cylinder, 21. This forces the piston to the bottom or one extreme end of its stroke, in which communication from the cylinder is open to pipe, 39, leading by way of the connected passages, 40, 40, in the coupler head to the pipe, 43, and the opposite end of the corresponding switch cylinder of the counterpart coupler of the adjoining car. This piston is thereby actuated to its upper or other extreme position, and the spring actuated locking bolts, 23, of both switch pistons are thrown into their locked positions, securely holding the piston, 20, in the opposite extreme positions, to which they have been thrown.

The controlling valve is then immediately turned back to its neutral position, in which the cylinder is connected to the exhaust port.

Y to atmosphere through pipe, 37, port, 33, and

exhaust ort, 35. The switch pistons, 20, remain loc ed in their respective extreme positions, and the electric contact terminals of one switch are connected in parallel, while the terminal contact points of the other switch are cross-connected, as will he readilv understood.

This is further illustrated in connection with Fig. 4, which shows diagrammatically the switch contacts for four train line wires, two on each side of a central vertical plane, the switch being indicated in the'normal intermediate or neutral position. When the movable contacts are shifted in one direction, corresponding to the switch cylinder and piston at the right in Fig. 1, the contacts, A1 and A2, coincide with E1 and B2, and establish a straight or parallel connection for this line. The same is true for the contacts, D1 and D2. with the line. C1 and C2, and also each of the other lines. When, however, the movable contacts are shifted to the opposite position corresponding with the switch piston at the left in Fig. 1, the contacts, A3 and A l, coincide with B1 and B2, and a cross connection is established to the contacts, D3 and Del, and the corresponding lines, C2 and G1, at the other side. The same is also true for the other sets of contacts. It will thus be seen that by setting one switch to the parallel position and the other switch on the adjoining car to the cross connected position, the proper electrical connections are established between the corresponding car line circuits of the respective vehicles.

When it is desired to uncouple and return the switches to neutral position, either one of the cooks, 31, may be turned to the release or disconnecting position, in which the cavity, 33, connects the pipes, 36 and 37, and the port. 32, connects pipe, 38, with the eX haust port, Air under pressure then flows through ipe, 37, to piston, 25, for releasing the locli, 23, and also flows through pipe, -11, and connecting valve ports, l2, 42,

of the coupler to the corresponding pipe, 41, and piston, 25, on the ad oining car, thus releasing both locks, 23, and permitting the springs, 22, to return both switch pistons,

20, to the intermediate neutral positions,

both ends of the cylinders, 21, being open to the exhaust. The valve, 31, is then promptly returned to its normal intermediate or neutral position, and the mechanism is then in readiness for further operation when desired. The car coupler locks and train pipe valves may also be controlled by these same controlling valves, but as that mechanism forms the subject matter of a separate application, it is not described herein.

It will be noted that in both of the operative positions of the switch pistons. 20, they are mechanically locked, and it doesnot deend upon the air pressure to maintain them in their respective positions, as it is only during the period of operating for coupling or uncoupling that the air pressure is admitted by the controlling valve, 30, which at all other times occupies its closed or neutral position and permits a complete exhaust to the atmosphere from the pistons, pipes and passages of the operatin switches.

It will also be obvious t at it is immaterial from which car the control of the switches and COHPllIlg is effected, as in either case, the operation will be simultaneous upon both cars.

Another advantage derived from my present. improvement is that all of the moving parts of the switches, valves, and other mechanism are removed from the cou ler head where they would be liable to lIl]lll V, and may be placed in the cab of the car where they are protected and may be inspected, ad-

justed and cared for as required.

Having now described my invention, what .faces of said cont-act terminals.

2. In an electric coupling for cars, the combination of a plurality of yieldingly mounted terminal contacts connected to the respective car line circuits and adapted to make a butt contact with the corresponding contacts of a counterpart couplin on an adjoining car, and means operatec by the forcing together ofsaid yielding contacts for producing a relative rotary movement between the co-acting faces thereof.

3. In an electric coupling for cars, a contact terminal comprising a stationary plug electrically connected to acar line circuit, a movable contact portion, yieldingly mounted relative to said plug, and connecting means operated by the yielding movement of said contact portion for producing a partial rotation of said movable contact.

4. In an electric coupling, the combination with a stationary plug electrically connected to a car line circuit, a movable terminal contact yieldingly mounted relative to said plug and adapted to make butt contact with a corresponding contact of a counterpart coupler, and connecting means between said movable contact and stationary plug for producing a partial rotation of the contact during the yielding movement.

5. In an electric coupling, the combination with a stationary plug electrically connected to a car line circuit, a movable terminal contact slidably mounted in said plug, a spring bearing on said movable contact, and a pin and inclined slot connection between said parts.

6. In an electric coupling for cars, the combination of a plurality of contact terminals connected to the respective car line circuits and adapted to engage corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupler when the cars'are coupled together, a reciprocatory switch for said circuits, a cylinder and piston for actuating said switch, and a controlling valve and pipe connections for admitthe car lines, a piston in said cylinder carrying switch contacts for connecting said circuits either in parallel or cross connected, and a controlling valve for admitting fluid to actuate said piston.

8. In an electric coupling for cars, the combination of a plurality of contact terminals connected to the respective car-line circuits and adapted to engage corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupler when the cars are coupled together, a switch for said circuits comprising a reciprocatory piston carrying contacts and having an intermediate neutral position and two opposite operative positions, means normally tending to move said piston to its neutral position, and locking means for holding said piston in either one of its opposite operative positions.

9. In an electric coupling for cars, the combination of a plurality of contact terminals connected to the respective car line circuits and adapted to engage corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupler when the cars are coupled together, a switch for said circuits comprising a reciprocatory piston carrying contacts and having an intermediate neutral position and tWo opposite operative positions, springs for normally holding said piston in its neutral position, locks for positively holding the piston in either one of its opposite operative positions, and fluid pressure means for releasing said locks.

10. In an electric coupling for cars, the

combination of a plurality of contact terminals connected to the respective car line circuits and adapted to engage corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupler When the cars are coupled together, a switch for said circuits comprising a reciprocatory piston carrying contacts and having an intermediate neutral position and two opposite operative positions, springs for normally holding said piston in its neutral position, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said piston, and locking means for holding said piston in either one of its opposite positions.

11. In an electric coupling for cars, the combination of a plurality of contact terminals connected to the respective car line circuits and adapted to engage corresponding contacts of a counterpart coupling when the cars are coupled together, a switch for said circuits comprising a reciprocatory piston carrying contacts and having an intermediate neutral position and two opposite operative positions, springs for normally holding said piston in its neutral position, locks for holding said piston in either one of its opposite operative positions, fluid pressure means for releasing said locks, and a valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to said piston and to said locks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

.THOMAS E. BROWN. 

